>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS PROVIDED BY THE  MCCUNE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION  AND VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

>> Gene: THIS WEEK ON NEW  MEXICO IN FOCUS, TWO NEW MEXICO PUEBLOS ARE SUING THE  FEDS OVER A TRUMP ERA WATER RULE THAT SETS ASIDE POLLUTION  REGULATIONS.

>> Villa: REALLY WHAT IT IS  ABOUT IS PROTECTING YOUR WATER AND MINE.

WATER IN JEMEZ RIVER AND WATERS IN THE RIO GRANDE.

WE HAVE SO LITTLE WATER IN NEW MEXICO.

>> Gene: SENATOR BEN RAY LUJAN JOINS US FROM WASHINGTON TO  TALK ABOUT BOOSTING BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I AM YOUR HOST GENE GRANT.

WE HAVE THOSE TWO REALLY MEATY  INTERVIEWS THIS WEEK AND AS WITH EVERYTHING ON THE SHOW IF  YOU MISS IT, WATCH ON OUR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS YOUTUBE  CHANNEL.

THE LINE OPINION PANEL IS HERE  TOO AND WILL DIG INTO TWO BIG TOPICS THIS WEEK INCLUDING THE  SPECIAL ELECTION AND HOW VOTERS ARE OR IN SOME CASES  NOT CASTING BALLOTS.

ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL REPORTED  DEMOCRATS ARE SHOWING UP IN FAR GREATER NUMBERS THAN  REPUBLICANS FOR EARLY VOTING BUT ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE  HAVE VOTED SO FAR.

WE BEGIN WITH THE ISSUE THAT'S  ON EVERYONE'S MIND AND NOT NECESSARILY THEIR FACE.

HERE IS THE LINE.

STATE OFFICIALS WASTED NO TIME  IN RESPONDING TO THE NEW MASK RECOMMENDATION FROM THE  CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL ON FRIDAY OF LAST WEEK.

HEALTH SECRETARY TRACI COLLINS UPDATED THE PUBLIC HEALTH  ORDER TO REMOVE MASK REQUIREMENTS FOR PEOPLE WHO  ARE FULLY VACCINATED IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW SCENARIOS.

BUSINESSES HAVE NOW RESPONDED WITH COMPANIES LIKE TARGET AND  WALMART REMOVING MASK REQUIREMENTS AS WELL.

I THINK SMITHS IS IN THERE TOO SCHOOLS WILL CONTINUE TO  REQUIRE FACE COVERINGS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS YEAR.

SO HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IT ALL MEANS ON THIS WEEKS LINE  OPINION PANEL.

WE WELCOME BACK DEDE FELDMAN,  A LINE REGULAR AND FORMER STATE SENATOR.

ALSO WITH US THIS WEEK, KRISTELLE SIARZA OF SIARZA  DIGITAL.

AND RETURNING TO THE PANEL  THIS WEEK IS DAVE MULRYAN FROM THE GROUP EVERYBODY VOTES.

WELCOME TO YOU ALL.

I WANT TO START BY GOING  AROUND THE TABLE AND GET YOUR PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS.

HAVE YOU SEEN A MAJOR DECLINE IN THE USE OF MASKS SINCE THE  PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER WAS CHANGED AS YOU GO ABOUT YOUR  DAILY LIVES.

DEDE START WITH YOU.

>> Dede: I DO SEE MANY MORE UNMASKED PEOPLE BUT YESTERDAY  I DROVE THROUGH CORRALES AND STOPPED THERE AT FLYING STAR  AND ALMOST EVERYONE WAS WEARING MASKS.

SO, I THINK IT IS VERY MIXED.

AND, OF COURSE, I DON'T SEE  INSIDE OF PLACES WHICH IS WHAT I THINK THE CONCERN IS.

BUT, OUTDOORS, EVEN OUTDOORS PEOPLE ARE STILL WEARING THEIR  MASKS.

>> Gene: WHAT ABOUT YOU?

YOU  HAVE BEEN OUT AND ABOUT.

>> Dave: I WAS SURPRISED BY  THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT CONTINUE TO WEAR MASKS AND I  WAS -- I AM A PROPONENT.

THERE IS THIS IDEA IN  HEALTHCARE WHERE YOU HAVE HARM REDUCTION AND IF YOU CAN WEAR  A MASK AND EVEN IF YOU'RE VACCINATED, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT  THE VARIANTS ARE, WHERE THEY ARE COMING FROM, AND, YOU  KNOW, AS MY MOTHER WAS ALWAYS FOND OF SAYING, DON'T ASK FOR  TROUBLE BECAUSE YOU'LL GET IT.

AND THE MASK TO ME IS THAT NOT  THAT BIG OF A DEAL TO CONTINUE WEARING IT.

I NOTICE THE GYM THAT PEOPLE YOU DON'T HAVE TO WEAR THE  MASK BUT ANY NUMBER OF PEOPLE WERE WEARING IT.

OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, THE IRONY IS THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO  BE CONSCIENTIOUS AND WEAR THE MASK ARE PROBABLY THE PEOPLE  WHO ARE ALSO VACCINATED.

SO, LOOK, WHEN I WAS A TEENAGE  BOY ONCE AND I THOUGHT NOTHING COULD HAPPEN TO ME AND I WAS  OUT RUNNING AROUND DOING THINGS THAT YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE  THAT AGE, BUT, AGAIN, TO ME THAT JUST SAYS, I CAN ONLY  TAKE CARE OF WHAT I CAN DO.

I AM GOING TO KEEP WEARING THE  MASK AND PLUS IT HIDES MY NECK, WHAT CAN I SEE.

>> Gene: WE ALL HAVE OUR REASONS.

YOU'RE ALLOWED.

KRISTELLE, YOU TRAVEL A LOT OF  CIRCLES OUT THERE, BUSINESS, PUBLIC, PRIVATE.

WHAT HAS THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS BEEN LIKE FOR YOU ON THE  MASK?

>> Kristelle: VERY  INTERESTING.

SO FROM THE SOCIAL SPORTS  SIDE, GOLFERS ARE DEFINITELY NOT WEARING MASKS OUT THERE  JUST BECAUSE OF THE OPEN AIR BUT WHEN YOU'RE IN THE BAR  HAVING A COUPLE DRINKS YOU SEE THAT.

DEFINITELY THE CITY  COURSES, THE GREAT CITY COURSES IN ALBUQUERQUE AND  SOME OF THE PRIVATE CLUBS HAVE DEFINITELY BEEN ENFORCING  THOSE MASK RULES.

WHENEVER -- KICKBALL IS GOING  TO START PRETTY SOON AND DEFINITELY CLOSE CONTACT.

IT IS HARD TO EVEN COMPETE IN SPORTS WITH MASKS SO THAT IS A  BIG THING.

I HAD A REALLY INTERESTING  CONVERSATION WITH MY LEADERSHIP GROUP AND A  LEADERSHIP OF OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS AND THOUGH WE TRY TO  KEEP THINGS CONFIDENTIAL I CAN TELL YOU THAT A LOT OF US ARE  STILL CONFUSED ON WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO TO PROTECTS OUR  EMPLOYEES?

HOW DO WE HELP OUR CUSTOMERS?

HAVE WE SEEN AREAS OF BUSINESS THAT ARE SUPER FLEXIBLE?

YOU KNOW.

HOW ARE THEY ACCIDENTALLY  DEFYING THE GOVERNOR'S ORDERS?

I THINK IT IS CLARITY THAT IS  NOT QUITE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY FROM AN ADMINISTRATIVE  PERSPECTIVE OR OPERATIONAL INTENTION.

THAT IS WHAT IS  CONFUSING ABOUT THE MASK PART.

IF I WAS TO TAKE A PERSONAL  APPROACH, LIKE I THINK ABOUT MY MOM.

MY MOM IS PANCREATIC CANCER SURVIVOR AND SHE WAS ONE OF  THE FIRST PEOPLE TO GET THE VACCINE BACK IN FEBRUARY AND  BACK THEN SHE WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW IT SEEMS RIDICULOUS I  HAVE TO WEAR A MASK IN 2019 TO JUMP ON A AIRPLANE TO TRAVEL  INTERNATIONALLY BUT NOW I FEEL LIKE EVERYBODY IS STARTING TO  LOOK LIKE ME WHEN IT COMES TO FLIGHTS.

SO, I AM WITH DAVE AND DEDE, WHATEVER IS MOST COMFORTABLE  FOR THE INDIVIDUAL IS THE RIGHT CHOICE.

>> Gene: A QUESTION ABOUT THE GOVERNOR.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE SURPRISED BY THE STATE'S MOVE TO LOSE  THE MASK MANDATE AFTER THEY HELD A HARD LINE IN TERMS OF  MANY OTHER ASPECTS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER.

DOES THAT PROVE WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN SAYING ALL  ALONG, SHE IS FOLLOWING THE SCIENCE OR WOULD SHE HAVE BEEN  BETTER OFF WAITING TO DITCH THE MASKS UNTIL WE REACH THAT  MAGICAL 60% VACCINATION STATE-WIDE WHICH SHE WAS  TOUTING EARLIER?

>> Andy: IT DID SEEM LIKE A  QUICK TURNAROUND JUST IN RESPONSE TO THE CDC GUIDELINES  WHICH WERE ALSO INTRODUCED QUITE -- CHANGED QUITE  QUICKLY.

AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, I  THINK SHE COULD HAVE WAITED A LITTLE BIT AND STUCK WITH THE  PROGRAM THAT WE WERE DOING.

I WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE  COMFORTABLE IF SHE WAITED UNTIL MAYBE MID JUNE WHICH  WOULD HAVE BEEN ACCELERATING THE TIMELINE A LITTLE BIT --  >> Gene: I HAVE GOT TO ASK YOU SENATOR, IS THAT POLITICALLY  POSSIBLE, SHE COULD HAVE WAITED UNTIL MID JUNE WITH THE  REST OF THE COUNTRY FLINGING OFF MASKS.

WOULD THAT HAVE HELD?

>> Dede: IT IS ALL IN THE  DETAILS.

ABOUT THE INDOOR SPACES AND  WHERE ARE MASKS STILL REQUIRED?

AND WHO IS ENFORCING THE MANDATES?

NOW, BUSINESSES MUST DETERMINE WHO IS UNVACCINATED AND WHO IS  VACCINATED.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE HONOR  SYSTEM -- THIS IS LIKE FALLING BACK ON THE HONOR SYSTEM.

AND THE HONOR SYSTEM, YOU KNOW, USUALLY REQUIRES TRUST  AND WHAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING IS AN EROSION OF TRUST.

TRUST IN ALL INSTITUTIONS AND IN ONE ANOTHER.

NOW, YOU KNOW, WE COULD SEE WHO WAS WEARING A MASK AND WHO  WASN'T WEARING A MASK BEFORE.

BUT NOW WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER  THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE UNMASKED ARE VACCINATED OR NOT.

THAT CREATES A LITTLE BIT OF UNCERTAINTY.

>> Gene: I LIKE THAT LAST BIT.

IT IS UNCERTAIN WITH THAT  IDEA.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THIS,  DOES THIS CHANGE, RAMP UP THE RHETORIC?

DO YOU THINK?

OR IS IT THE VITREAL THAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH ABOUT MASKS  WILL ACTUALLY TAMP DOWN, YOU KNOW, AS ONE LESS THING ABOUT  THE STATE'S COVID-19 RESPONSE FOR SOME PEOPLE.

WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF IT?

>> Dave: MY SENSE IS A COUPLE  OF THINGS.

ONE, I THINK THAT THE CDC, I  THINK THEY WERE PREMATURE, BUT I DON'T HAPPEN TO HAVE A PHD  IN BIOCHEMISTRY SO I'LL LEAVE THE DECISION TO THEM.

I ALSO THINK POLITICIANS AND NOT JUST THE GOVERNOR, BUT  POLITICIANS IN GENERAL, THE MASK BECAME A METAPHOR FOR HOW  WE WERE IN THE EPIDEMIC AND SOMEHOW REMOVING THE MASK IS  TO MEANT TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL BETTER.

WE HAVE ATTAINED A BIG GOAL.

NEW MEXICO HAS DONE A GREAT  JOB.

WE ARE NO.

1 IN TERMS OF  GETTING PEOPLE VACCINATED.

ALSO I BELIEVE THERE IS  GOVERNOR-TO-GOVERNOR PEER PRESSURE.

IF ONE STATE IS GOING TO DO IT, THEN THEY FEEL LIKE THEY  HAVE TO DO IT.

CALIFORNIA SAID THEY ARE NOT  DOING THE MASK MANDATE OR DROPPING THE MANDATE UNTIL MID  JUNE.

THEY GOT QUITE A BIT OF  PUSHBACK.

WELL, WE WANT TO GET RID OF  THE MASKS RIGHT NOW.

I AM GOING TO CONTINUE TO USE  THE MASK.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO  USE THE MASK.

THAT THINK THAT ALWAYS CAUGHT  MY ATTENTIONS IS WE BASICALLY HAD NO FLU SEASON BECAUSE  PEOPLE WERE BUSY WEARING MASKS.

SAY TO YOURSELF, OKAY, SO I'LL JUST WEAR A MASK AND I AM A  PERSON IN CHINA IN THE 1970'S AND 80'S AND I AM WEARING A  MASK FOR SMOG, BUT THAT KIND REALLY HAS TO GET YOUR  ATTENTION.

WE SIMPLY ELIMINATED THE FLU  BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE MASKED AND THEY WEREN'T GETTING TOGETHER  IN ALL SORTS OF GROUPS.

BUT YOU HAVE TO SAY THAT CAN'T  BE A BAD THING, RIGHT?

>> Gene: RELATED TO THE MASK  MANDATE IS VACCINATIONS.

WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

UNM RELEASED A POLICY A LITTLE WHILE BACK AND TAKING FEEDBACK  RIGHT NOW.

THE POLICY   WOULD REQUIRE FULL VACCINATION FOR THOSE  RETURNING TO CAMPUS WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS.

A LOT OF PLACES WEIGHING OPTIONS HERE BUT WHAT DO YOU  THINK ABOUT THAT IDEA?

IS THIS THE BEST WAY TO GO  MOVING FORWARD?

>> Kristelle: I AM NOT AN  ADMINISTRATOR SO I'M NOT GOING TO EVEN PRETEND TO ANSWER THAT  QUESTIONS CORRECTLY.

I WILL TELL YOU A SCENARIO  THAT HAPPENED TO ONE OF OUR CLIENTS ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO.

LEWIS UNIVERSITY HAD ACTUALLY CANCELED A GRADUATION AT MAIN  CAMPUS BECAUSE OF, I BELIEVE, A MEASLES OUTBREAK.

I AM SORRY, MUMPS OUTBREAK.

AND MUMPS OUTBREAK WAS BECAUSE  OF POOR VACCINATION RECORDS ON THE EDUCATION FRONT OR ON THE  ADMINISTRATIVE FRONT, CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE AREA AND THE  FIRST, YOU KNOW, BACK IN 2018, 2019 WHEN WE HEARD OF A MUMPS  OUTBREAK, WE WERE GOING, WHAT?

MUMPS IN A 21 YEAR OLD?

THIS WAS LEWIS UNIVERSITY WAS IN ROMEOVILLE, ILLINOIS AND  HERE WE ARE NOW ASKING OURSELVES IS UNM GOING TO BE  REQUIRING VACCINATION RECORDS, BUT IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN EVERY  SCHOOL AND EVERY PRIVATE INSTITUTION THAT I EVER  ENROLLED MY SON IN, THEY ALWAYS ASK FOR VACCINATION  RECORDS FOR THE SAFETY AND STUART OF THE STUDENTS.

SO, IF UNM DECIDES TO MAKE A MANDATE LIKE THAT, OBVIOUSLY  THE INTENTION IS NOT DISRUPT THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS  BECAUSE OF HUMAN CHOICE.

IT IS OBVIOUSLY TO KEEP  EVERYBODY SAFE AND HEALTH, KEEP THE COLLEGE AND  UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE THE SAME.

IF THEY GO THROUGH A DECISION LIKE THAT IT IS NOT UNCOMMON  AND THE CASE IN POINT WAS LEWIS UNIVERSITY IN  ROMEOVILLE, ILLINOIS.

>> Gene: DO YOU HAVE A THOUGHT  ON THAT?

>> Dede: I THINK COLLEGES AND  UNIVERSITIES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ARE CONSIDERING THIS  NOW AND THEY HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE  AMERICAN HEALTH ASSOCIATION THAT IT SHOULD BE A  REQUIREMENT COME THE FALL FOR COLLEGES TO GET BACK INTO FULL  SWING AND I THINK THAT LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE UNIVERSITY OF  COLORADO SYSTEM IS DOING IT.

I KNOW FORT LEWIS COLLEGE IS  DOING IT.

I KNOW THE UNIVERSITY OF  CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA,  ALSO, MY ALMA MATER, REQUIRES THOSE VACCINATIONS.

OF COURSE, THERE ARE ALWAYS THE WAIVERS, YOU KNOW, IF YOU  HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION AND EVEN IF YOU HAVE A RELIGIOUS  EXEMPTION I THINK.

AND KRISTELLE THAT WAS  PROBABLY -- IT IS TRUE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AS WELL.

SO, I THINK, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT IT PROBABLY, YOU KNOW,  WOULD BE A WISE THING TO DO ALTHOUGH I THINK IT WOULD BE  CONTROVERSIAL AND, ONCE AGAIN,  WHO ENFORCES ALL OF THIS?

>> Gene: THANK YOU, EXACTLY  RIGHT.

DAVE 20 SECONDS FOR A LAST  WORD ON THAT QUESTION.

>> Dave: LET ME SUM IT UP.

VAC OR DIE.

I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD BE  VACCINATED.

INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE IN A  POSITION TO HELP US GET MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED SHOULD DO  SO.

IT IS CLEAR THE VACCINES WORK.

WE HAVE SEEN THIS DRAMATIC DROP IN CASES.

SURE GET THE  VACCINATION, REQUIRE THE VACCINATION.

YOU ARE HELPING YOURSELF AND YOU ARE HELPING EVERYONE  AROUND YOU MANY.

>> Gene: THERE YOU GO.

THE  CONVERSATION ON MASKS AND VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS  CONTINUES ON LINE.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK OR OUR  FACEBOOK PAGE FOCUS ON NEW MEXICO AND SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS  ON THE ISSUE.

BACK TO DISCUSS SPECIAL  ELECTION IN THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND  START OF SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION HERE IN NEW  MEXICO.

>> Toya: WE GO FISHING AND THE  FISH THAT WE CATCH IN THE JEMEZ RIVER IS WHAT WE EAT.

ONE OTHER IMPORTANT FACTOR IS THAT THE WATER IN THE JEMEZ  RIVER IS USED IN CEREMONIES.

AND, THIS IS A THREAT TO OR  WAY OF LIFE.

>> Gene:   BEN RAY LUJAN IS COMING UP ON HIS FIVE-MONTH  ANNIVERSARY AS NEW MEXICO'S JUNIOR SENATOR.

HE WALKED INTO A RAZOR THIN MAJORITY FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE  U.S. SENATE, WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT ABLE TO CAST A  TIE-BREAKING VOTE.

SENATOR BRINGS SOME OF HIS  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE PRIORITIES WITH HIM AS WELL AS  TAKING ON BROADER ISSUES SUCH AS IMMIGRATION.

HERE IS CORRESPONDENT RUSSELL CONTRERAS WHO SPOKE WITH THE  SENATOR THIS WEEK.

>> Russell: SENATOR BEN RAY  LUJAN, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> Lujan: ALWAYS AN HONOR.

GOOD TO BE WITH YOU TODAY.

>> Russell: YOU HAVE BEEN IN  OFFICE JUST A FEW MONTHS NOW.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN  THE SENATE AND HOUSE AFTER A DECADE IN THE HOUSE AND SOME  YEARS IN HOUSE LEADERSHIP?

ARE YOU FAMILIARIZING YOURSELF  WITH THE NEW BODY?

HOW IS IT GOING?

>> Lujan: THERE A LOT OF  SIMILARITIES.

YOU HAVE TO GET TO KNOW YOUR  COLLEAGUES, MAKE SURE YOU MEET THEM ONE ON ONE AND GET A  CHANCE TO WORK WITH THEM AND THEIR TEAMS.

THAT IS SOMETHING I HAVE APPRECIATED EVEN WITH CALLINGS  WHERE WE HAD DISAGREEMENTS IN COMMITTEE AND DIFFERENT  APPROACHES TO GETTING TO THE SAME GOAL, AFTERWARD I HAVE  THE HONOR TO SIT DOWN AND TALK TO MY COLLEAGUES MAKING SURE  WE ARE ON A GOOD PATH AND WE'RE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, IF YOU WILL.

THERE IS DIFFERENT PROCEDURES AND RULES THAT GOVERN BOTH  BODIES.

SO THAT HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT I HAVE BEEN  SPENDING TIME LEARNING AND UNDERSTANDING.

BUT, HAVE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED THE SUPPORT I  RECEIVED FROM MY COLLEAGUES AND VOTES THAT WE HAVE BEEN  ABLE TO EARN TO PASS IMPORTANT PIECES OF LEGISLATION  INCLUDING DIRECTING 17 BILLION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY  NATIONAL LABS FOR THE SCIENCE AND TECH DIRECTOR RECENTLY.

AGAIN VERY MUCH APPRECIATE GETTING A CHANCE TO MEET  PEOPLE, WORK WITH PEOPLE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE  PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO.

>> Russell: WHEN YOU AND I  LAST SPOKE, YOU MADE IT CLEAR YOU WANTED TO REACH ACROSS THE  AISLE WITH REPUBLICANS TO WORK ON VARIOUS PROPOSALS.

YOU AND GOP SENATOR RICK SCOTT OF FLORIDA ARE WORKING ON A  LAW CALLED THE RIDER ACT THAT ATTEMPTS TO ATTACK DRUNKEN  DRIVING.

TELL US ABOUT THAT LAW.

>> Lujan: REDUCE IMPAIRED DRIVING FOR EVERYONE, THE RIDE  ACT.

I HAVE THE HONOR OF WORKING WITH SENATOR SCOTT  WITH.

IT IS A PIECE OF LEGISLATION  THAT WAS ALWAYS CHAMPIONED BY OUR OWN SENATOR IN NEW MEXICO,  TOM UDALL.

RUSS, IT IS A STORY THAT I DON'T SHARE OFTEN AND NOW THAT  WE ARE WORKING ON THIS LEGISLATION I HAVE BEEN  TALKING ABOUT IT MORE.

29 YEARS AGO, THE LESS THAN  HALF A MILE FROM MY HOME IN NAMBE I WAS DRIVING HOME ONE  NIGHT AND A DRUNK DRIVER HIT ME HEAD ON.

AND I AM FORTUNATE THAT I AM HERE TO TELL THE STORY AND  TALK ABOUT IT TODAY.

FOR A LONG TIME ALL I WOULD  SEE WAS HEADLIGHTS COMING RIGHT AT ME  ANY TIME I CLOSED MY EYES, WHETHER IT WAS DAY OR NIGHT.

TOO MANY FAMILIES HAVE BEEN LOST, SO MANY FAMILIES THAT  ARE VICTIMS OF DRUNK DRIVERS ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD,  WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME ON THAT STATE ROAD IN NAMBE,  BUT EVEN ON INTERSTATES.

AND WE RECENTLY LOST SOMEONE  IN NEW MEXICO AND IT HAPPENS ACROSS AMERICA EVERYDAY.

THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION WHICH REQUIRES AUTO  MANUFACTURERS TO INCLUDE READILY AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY  TO PREVENT AND STOP DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENTS ACROSS  AMERICA.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE  GROWING MORE AND MORE MOMENTUM WITH.

THERE IS STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

EVEN MY COLLEAGUES FROM MICHIGAN NOW HAVE BECOME  CO-SPONSORS AND ADVOCATING FOR THE LEGISLATION.

I JUST JUMPED OFF A HEARING IN THE COMMERCE COMMITTEE AS WELL  WHERE PART OF MY LINE OF  QUESTIONING WAS ABOUT GETTING SUPPORT FOR THE RIDE ACT.

THIS IS READILY AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY, IT WILL SAVE  PEOPLES LIVES AND IS COMMON SENSE.

HERE IS WHAT SUMS IT UP.

IF AUTO MANUFACTURERS ACROSS  AMERICA ARE ASKING FOR WAIVERS TO LIABILITY FOR SELF-DRIVING  FULLY AUTOMATED SELF-DRIVING CARS, WHY CAN'T THEY INCLUDE  THIS TECHNOLOGY?

THERE SHOULD NOT BE A  RELUCTANCE.

I AM GOING TO KEEP PUSHING  UNTIL WE GET THIS DONE.

>> Russell: YOU RAN ON THE  ENVIRONMENT DURING YOUR CAMPAIGN.

AS OF RIGHT NOW, TULAROSA DOWN WINDERS FROM THE TRINITY TEST,  THE WORLDS FIRST ATOMIC BOMB TEST, HAVEN'T BEEN INCLUDED IN  THE RADIATION COMPENSATION ACT.

THAT LAW IS SET TO SUNSET NEXT YEAR.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF EXTENDING THAT LAW AND  INCLUDING FOLKS FROM TULAROSA AND MESCALERO APACHE.

>> Lujan: I AM WORKING DILIGENTLY TO GET THE  RADIATION EXPOSURE COMPENSATION ACT EXTENDED,  WHICH EXPIRES AT THE END OF 2022.

YOU POINT OUT SOMETHING THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO GIVE  ME A GOOD ANSWER WITH WHY THE PEOPLE OF TULAROSA, WHERE THE  FIRST BOMB WAS TESTED WITH THE TRINITY TEST SITE ON AMERICAN  SOIL, WHEN OTHER COUNTIES ACROSS AMERICA HAVE BEEN  INCLUDED IN THE DOWNWIND WHERE NUCLEAR TESTING TOOK PLACE.

HOW CAN IT BE THAT TWO COMMUNITIES ESPECIALLY IN NEW  MEXICO, IN TULAROSA AND OUT IN CHURCH ROCK, MCKINLEY COUNTY,  THAT IS WHERE THE BERM BROKE BACK IN 1979 AND THOSE URANIUM  TAILINGS WENT FLOODING INTO ARROYOS CONTAMINATING STREAMS  AND ARROYOS AND WATERWAYS, SHEEP AND CATTLE AND PEOPLE,  HOW COULD THEY BE LEFT OUT?

OPEN RADIUM PIT MINING AROUND  LAGUNA ACOMA PUEBLOS, HOW ARE THEY NOT INCLUDED.

I HAVE BEEN RAISING THIS ISSUE WITH MY COLLEAGUES.

AT THE VERY LEAST THIS PROGRAM NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED, NO.

1.

THERE SHOULD BE AN APOLOGY ISSUED BY THE UNITED STATES  AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THAT INCLUDED IN THE HOUSE NATIONAL  DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT, BUT IT DIDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH THE  SENATE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

NOW I AM IN THE SENATE AND I  AM GOING TO WORK DILIGENTLY TO GET THAT DONE AND INCLUDE AS  MANY PROVISIONS AS WE CAN WITH RECA.

I'LL NEVER FORGET THE VOICE OF AN ELDER NAVAJO WOMAN WHO  TESTIFIED HERE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. ON THE RADIATION EXPOSURE  COMPENSATION ACT.

AND SHE ASKED MEMBERS OF  CONGRESS, ARE YOU ALL WAITING FOR US TO DIE SO THE PROBLEM  GOES AWAY?

THINK OF HOW PROFOUND THAT IS.

WE HAVE LOST LOVED ONES THROUGH THE LAST MANY MONTHS  AND YEARS.

IT IS NOT RIGHT.

THIS IS A LIABILITY FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND  THE UNITED STATES NEEDS TO DO RIGHT BY EVERY URANIUM MINER  NOT INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL RECA AND ALL THE COMMUNITIES  THAT WERE EXCLUDED FROM DOWNWIND STATUS THAT SHOULD  HAVE BEEN INCLUDED FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

>> Russell: NEW MEXICO IS A STATE THAT CONTINUES TO  STRUGGLE WITH POVERTY.

YOU AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT  THAT IN THE PAST.

YOUR STAFF AND COLLEAGUES SAY  IF YOU TALK TO SENATOR LUJAN HE WILL TALK YOUR EAR OFF  ABOUT BROADBAND.

YOU BELIEVE BROADBAND COULD BE  THE CENTER OF CONNECTING NEW MEXICO AND IMPROVING THIS  ECONOMY.

WHY IS BROADBAND CONNECTION SO  IMPORTANT TO YOU?

>> Lujan: THERE ARE MANY  PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS AND LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES THAT  HAVE TO BE ADOPTED TO ADDRESS POVERTY THROUGHOUT NEW MEXICO  AND ACROSS AMERICA.

ONE OF THOSE THAT WAS INCLUDED  RECENTLY WAS THE EXPANSION OF THE CHILD TAX CREDIT WHICH  FAMILIES ARE SLATED TO START TO SEE IN THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS  NOW IN JULY.

THAT IS IMPORTANT AND WE ARE  WORKING TO MAKE THAT PERMANENT.

THAT IS NO.

1.

BUT BRAND BAND IS A GAME  CHANGER FOR SO MANY PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND  ESPECIALLY NEW MEXICO THAT ARE NOT CONNECTED WITH FAST  AFFORDABLE INTERNET.

SO MANY OF US KNOW THE  DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SLOW INTERNET, FAST INTERNET OR NO  INTERNET.

AND IT IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE.

WHEN YOU CAN GET ON AN AIRPLANE AND STAY CONNECTED AT  30,000 FLEET AND FLY ACROSS AMERICA CONNECTED TO THE  INTERNET AT FASTER SPEEDS THAN YOU CAN IN COMMUNITIES YOU'RE  FLYING ABOVE OR EVEN AT THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION,  WE IN THE UNITED STATES CAN SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

AND THAT IS WHY I HAVE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY TO INCLUDE  ROBUST FUNDING FOR BROAD BAND IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE  THAT IS COMING UP.

PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS INCLUDED  IT IN HIS PROPOSAL WITH THE AMERICANS JOB PLANS AS WELL  THAT HE PRESENTED TO THE U.S. SENATE AND U.S. HOUSE OF  REPRESENTATIVES.

I AM WORKING ON SEVERAL  LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES AND PROUD TO CHAIR THE  SUBCOMMITTEE THAT HAS JURISDICTION OVER BROADBAND  DEPLOYMENT, FCC AS WELL.

WE ARE ABLE TO LIFT UP PEOPLES  VOICES ACROSS NEW MEXICO TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT LEFT OUT.

HERE IS WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO.

THERE IS A SOPHOMORE THAT  ATTENDS CUBA HIGH SCHOOL.

HER NAME IS HELENE.

SHE LIVES OUT IN COUNSELOR, NEW MEXICO.

SHE IS NAVAJO.

SHE DOES NOT HAVE ELECTRICITY AT HER HOME.

SHE DOES NOT  HAVE A BROADBAND CORRECTION, SHE DEPENDS ON WIRELESS PHONE  BUT THAT WIRELESS PHONE HAS FIXED CAPS ON DATA.

SO THE FAMILY IS VERY LEERY OF USING THAT PHONE SO SHE HAS  ENOUGH BAND WIDTH TO DO HER HOMEWORK.

IT TAKES HER ALMOST TWO HOURS TO GET TO SCHOOL EVERYDAY.

IF WE CAN DO RIGHT BY HELENE, GET BY WIFI ON THE SCHOOL BUS,  MAKE SURE SHE HAS A CONNECTION AT HOME, THAT SHE DOESN'T HAVE  DATA CAPS CONNECTED TO HER MOBILE DEVICE AND WE CAN GET  HER ELECTRICITY, RUNNING, RUNNING WATER AND WASTEWATER,  THEN WE ARE DOING RIGHT.

I AM DOING THIS THROUGH THE  LENS OF WHAT I LEARNED FROM HELENE, THIS BRAVE 16 YEAR OLD  SOPHOMORE THAT HAS PARTICIPATED IN HEARINGS AND  TESTIMONY ALREADY AND THAT IS A VOICE THAT WE NEED TO  CONTINUE TO LIFT UP AND LEARN FROM.

>> Russell: DEMOCRATS HAVE A TINY MAJORITY IN THE SENATE.

MANY OF THE PROGRESSIVE WISH LIST ITEMS COMING FROM THE  HOUSE WON'T MAKE IT THROUGH THIS DIVIDED BODY.

AS WE TALK RIGHT NOW, SENATOR TIM SCOTT MENTIONED EARLIER IS  WORKING ON A COMPREHENSIVE POLICE REFORM BILL.

IT IS IN NEGOTIATIONS RIGHT NOW.

WOULD THIS, TO PASS MUSTER FOR YOU, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO  SEE IN THAT PACKAGE?

>> Lujan: I THINK THERE IS  PROGRESS BEING MADE FROM SENATOR BOOKER WORKING WITH  SENATOR TIM SCOTT AS WELL AS KAREN BASS, FORMER CHAIR OF  THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS AND STILL A MEMBER OF THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AS WELL.

I JUST TALKED TO BOTH SENATOR BOOKER AND TO KAREN ABOUT  PROGRESS THEY ARE MAKING AND I NEED TO CHECK IN WITH SENATOR  SCOTT, BUT I WAS OPTIMISTIC WHAT THEY SHARED WITH ME.

LOOK, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BRINGING ATTENTION TO THE  INJUSTICES IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND THAT WE ARE ABLE TO  IMPLEMENT A POLICY THAT WE CAN GET SUPPORTED AND SIGNED INTO  LAW.

THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE TRYING  TO GET DONE IN THE SENATE WITH SUPPORT OF KAREN.

I PROUDLY SUPPORTED LEGISLATION IN THE PAST OUT OF  THE HOUSE WITH THE GEORGE FLOYD POLICING ACT, A PIECE OF  LEGISLATION THAT ALSO ALREADY PASSED THE HOUSE OF  REPRESENTATIVES.

THAT FRAMEWORK IS SOMETHING THAT IS  IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE CONSIDERING AND LOOKING AT AS  WE ARE ABLE TO MAKE THESE CHANGES, SOME OF WHICH ARE  ALREADY ADOPTED IN NEW MEXICO.

SO, AGAIN, LOOKING TO SEE WHAT  CORY AND TIM AND KAREN WILL COME UP WITH, BUT WE TRUST  THEM TO COME UP WITH A STRONG PACKAGE AND I JUST APPRECIATE  THEM WILLING TO WORK TOGETHER ACROSS THE AISLE FOR THE GOOD  OF AMERICA.

>> Russell: SAME COULD BE SAID  ABOUT IMMIGRATION REFORM.

WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO PASS  FOR TWO DECADES NOW.

ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC WE CAN GET  SOMETHING THROUGH THE SENATE BY 2022?

>> Lujan: I AM OPTIMISTIC BUT IT COMES WITH THIS.

IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT MANY OF MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES HAVE  CHOSEN TO MAKE THIS POLITICAL WITH IMMIGRATION REFORM.

AND IT IS NOT IN THE INTERESTS OF FOLKS THAT WANT TO USE THIS  AS A WEDGE ISSUE TO TRY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

WHERE I AM ENCOURAGED ARE SEVERAL OF MY REPUBLICAN  COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN WILLING TO SIT DOWN AND IN A  BIPARTISAN BASIS, TO BE ABLE TO FIND IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS.

I AM HOPING THAT MORE MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE,  DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN, TAKE A LOOK AT MEMBERS THAT  ARE TRYING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

THE DREAM AND PROMISE ACT ALREADY PASSED HOUSE OF  REPRESENTATIVES AGAIN THIS YEAR WITH A BIPARTISAN  SUPPORT.

DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN  MEMBERS SUPPORTING IT.

THE FARM WORKER MODERNIZATION  ACT PASSED WITH 30 REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE SUPPORTING IT.

THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THEY HAVE THE VOTES TO PASS HERE IN  THE SENATE.

AND I HAVE BEEN CONTINUING TO  RAISE THIS ISSUE NOT JUST WITH THE WHITE HOUSE, PERSONALLY  MEETING WITH FELLOW CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS,  COLLEAGUES IN THE OVAL OFFICE, PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT,  AS WELL AS SENATE COLLEAGUES.

WE MEET ON A WEEKLY BASIS IF  NOT A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK.

AND THERE IS A BIPARTISAN  GROUP GETTING TOGETHER TO TRY TO GROW MORE SUPPORT.

I AM OPTIMISTIC WE CAN GET SOMETHING DONE.

WE MUST GET SOMETHING DONE.

IT IS NOT JUST GOOD FOR  AMERICA, THIS IS GOOD FOR OUR ECONOMY AS WELL.

AND, IT WILL KEEP PEOPLE SAFER, MAKE PEOPLE SAFER.

IT WILL TREAT PEOPLE WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

AGAIN, IT IS GOING TO BE A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF GROWING  OUR ECONOMY AND GDP.

>> Russell: IN THE FEW SECONDS  WE HAVE WITH YOU, THE SENATE SOMETIMES CAN BE A PLACE WHERE  YOU GO AND WHERE DREAMS DIE.

YOU SEE THE POLARIZATION BUT  YOU SEE A LOT OF COLLEGIALITY.

AS YOU SPENT TIME IN THE  SENATE JUST THIS PAST FEW WEEKS, ARE YOU MORE OPTIMISTIC  ABOUT AMERICA OR HAVE YOU TURNED MORE PESSIMISTIC?

>> Lujan: I AM ALWAYS OPTIMISTIC.

I THINK PEOPLE WANT TO SOLVE PROBLEMS AND GET THINGS DONE.

MY EXPERIENCE IN THE SENATE, THE EXAMPLE THAT I SHARED WITH  YOU AS WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER IN A BIPARTISAN BILL TO  INCREASE AMERICA'S COMPETITIVENESS.

WE JUST SAW ANNOUNCEMENT BY INTEL WITH A THREE-AND-A-HALF  BILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN THE NEW MEXICO FACILITY OUT IN  RIO RANCHO.

WE NEED TO BE AGGRESSIVE WHEN  IT COMES TO CHIP MANUFACTURING AND ADVANCES WITH SPACE AND  OTHER SCIENCE AND TECH AND RESEARCH.

I WAS ABLE TO PASS AN AMENDMENT THAT INVESTED AND  AUTHORIZED 17 BILLION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.

OUR  NATIONAL LABS IN NEW MEXICO WILL BENEFIT.

LOS ALAMOS AND SANDIA WITH THE RESEARCH THEY ARE DOING, AND I  DID THIS WITH STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

I HAD ONE MORE, I BELIEVE, REPUBLICAN VOTE IN COMMITTEE  THAN I DID A DEMOCRATIC VOTE.

AND WE ARE NOW BRINGING THIS  TO FLOOR AND PASSING THIS LEGISLATION NEXT WEEK OUT OF  THE U.S. SENATE.

THAT IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE WHERE  WE CAN COME TOGETHER TO RESPOND TO COMPETITIVE  CHALLENGES ESPECIALLY WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WITH WHAT  THEY ARE DOING AND MAKE SURE THE UNITED STATES IS GOING TO  CONTINUE TO BE A LEADER IN THE WORLD WHEN IT COMES TO THESE  ISSUES.

THAT IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE.

EVEN WHEN THERE WAS DISAGREEMENT AND MY REPUBLICAN  COLLEAGUES NOT A ONE SUPPORTED THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, WHAT  WE SAW WAS WE WERE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER TO BE ABLE TO  RESPOND TO AMERICA'S NEEDS AND TO PASS A PACKAGE THAT  PROVIDED MORE FINANCIAL SUPPORT INTO THE POCKETS OF  HARD WORKING MIDDLE CLASS AMERICANS AND TO MAKE SURE WE  HAD VACCINE TO GET INTO PEOPLES ARMS.

THAT IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW WE WORK TOGETHER AND STILL  WORK ON POLICY.

SOME OF WHICH WERE REPUBLICAN  IDEAS INCLUDED IN THAT PACKAGE.

UNFORTUNATELY THEY DIDN'T VOTE FOR THE FINAL PACKAGE BUT THEY  HELPED TO SHAPE IT.

THAT IS A POSITIVE RESPONSE  AND IT SHOWS ME THAT WE CAN RESPOND, WE CAN WORK TOGETHER  AND WE CAN CONTINUE TO WORK TO BRING THE COUNTRY TOGETHER.

>> Russell: FINALLY, I KNOW YOU HAVE ONLY BEEN THERE A FEW  MONTHS, BUT ARE YOU RUNNING FOR REELECTION?

>> Lujan: I AM JUST GETTING STARTED HERE WITH WORKING WITH  MY COLLEAGUES AND REACHING OUT TO FELLOW NEW MEXICANS AND  JUST GIVE ME A CHANCE, WE ARE STILL FIVE YEARS AWAY.

AND IF THE PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO ENCOURAGE ME TO  CONTINUE TO WORK ON THEIR BEHALF, IT IS DEFINITELY A  RESPONSIBILITY I'LL CONTINUE TO EMBRACE.

THERE IS A WHOLE LOT MORE THAT I HAVE TO LEARN FROM FELLOW  NEW MEXICANS; SOLVE THESE CHALLENGES AND PROBLEMS BUT  RIGHT NOW WE ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO GET  INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS BACK HOME TO CLOSE THIS BROAD  BAND GAP AND CREATE MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

SO THE MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS WE HAVE, THE MORE BUILD OUT WE  HAVE, THE BETTER NEW MEXICO WILL BE.

AND IT IS REALLY THE RESPONSIBILITY FROM ALL OF US,  YOU KNOW, WHAT I ALWAYS REMIND FOLKS BACK HOME, WHAT I  LEARNED FROM COLLEAGUES, CORY BOOKER, SHE REMINDS US THAT  CHANGE DOES NOT COME FROM WASHINGTON D.C., IT COMES TO  WASHINGTON D.C. FROM ACROSS AMERICA AND IT IS OUR  RESPONSIBILITY TO CARRY THOSE VOICE.

CONTINUE TO BE PROUD TO  REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO AND I'LL BE ONE OF FOUR  DEMOCRATIC HISPANIC SENATORS IN THE SENATE, BUILDING OFF  THAT WORK AND LEGACY BROUGHT TO US BY ONE OF OUR VERY OWN,  DENNIS CHAVEZ, WHO DID INCREDIBLE WORK AND FOUGHT FOR  THE UNDERDOG BUT DROVE INVESTMENTS INTO NEW MEXICO.

AND SO I AM LEARNING ABOUT HIM EVERYDAY AS WELL AND MAKING  SURE THAT I AM ABLE TO LIVE UP TO THE EXPECTATIONS THAT HE  SET FORTH FOR NOT JUST OUR STATE BUT FOR US TO DELIVER  FOR THE PEOPLE BACK HOME.

>> Russell: SENATOR BEN RAY  LUJAN, WHEN YOU'RE READY TO MAKE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT, WE'LL  BE READY HERE AT NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US.

>> Lujan: THANK YOU, ALWAYS AN  HONOR, SIR.

>> Gene: VOTING IS ALREADY  UNDER WAY IN THE RACE TO REPLACE DEB HAALAND IN THE  U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND SPECIAL ELECTION IS ALSO  ON THE DEBUT OF THE SAME-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION HERE IN NEW  MEXICO.

LAWMAKERS APPROVED THE  PRACTICE IN 2019 BUT IT ROLLED OUT EARLIER THAN EXPECTED  BECAUSE OF MS. HAALAND'S APPOINTMENT AS SECRETARY OF  THE INTERIOR EARLIER THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE INTERVIEWS WITH ALL THE MAJOR PARTY CANDIDATES UP  ON OUR WEBSITE AT NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS.ORG.

LET'S START HERE.

MANY STATES INCLUDING GEORGIA  AND ARIZONA ARE LOOKING TO RESTRICT VOTING ACCESS IN THE  WAKE OF 2020 ELECTION.

WE SEEM TO BE HEADED IN THE OTHER  DIRECTION IN NEW MEXICO AS SAME-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION  SHOWS.

DEDE, STATE SENATOR, WHAT DO  YOU THINK IS BEHIND THAT?

WHY ARE WE SO DIFFERENT.

>> Dede: NEW MEXICO HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY PROGRESSIVE WHEN IT  COMES TO VOTING RIGHTS AND VOTING ACCESS.

NOT ONLY ARE WE MOVING TOWARD SAME-DAY REGISTRATION BUT WE  HAVE ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION.

WE HAVE A VERY EXPANSIVE EARLY VOTING PERIOD.

SOME STATES ONLY HAVE THREE DAYS AND THEY ARE TRYING TO  RESTRICT IT.

WE HAVE VOTING CONVENIENCE  CENTERS WHERE YOU CAN GO ANYWHERE IN ALBUQUERQUE AND  GET A BALLOT PARTICULAR TO YOU.

AND THAT MAKES IT VERY CONVENIENT.

AND WE HAVE GOT A LOT OF OTHER THINGS TO MAKE VOTING MORE  ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE.

WE HAVE USED DROP BOXES OUT IN  RURAL AREAS WHERE THE MAIL IS UNCERTAIN.

BUT, THIS TIME WE HAD A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE  LEGISLATURE AND COUNTY CLERKS WERE ALLOWED TO MAIL ABSENTEE  APPLICATIONS TO VOTERS SO THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO ENDANGER  THEIR HEALTH BY GOING TO THE POLLING PLACES.

SO, WE HAVE HAD A VERY PROGRESSIVE RECORD HERE.

WE WERE ONE OF THE FIRST STATES TO GO BACK TO PAPER  BALLOTS SO IT IS NOT JUST EXPANDING THE FRANCHISE.

WE ARE ALSO TOP IN SECURING THE ELECTIONS AND AFTER THE  2000 ELECTION AND WIDESPREAD DOWN ABOUT THE MACHINES, AT  THAT TIME, WE SAID, WE ARE GOING TO SPEND THE MONEY AND  WE ARE GOING BACK TO PAPER BALLOTS SO WE CAN VERIFY THESE  THINGS AND WE HAVE.

I AM PROUD OF OUR SECRETARY OF  STATE RIGHT NOW.

BUT, THE ONES THAT CAME BEFORE  HER, TOO, HAVE CONSISTENTLY MADE IT EASIER TO VOTE.

>> Gene: GOOD STUFF THERE.

>> Dede: THE LEGISLATURE HAS  OPPOSED THAT, AND TRIED TO BLOCK IT BUT THEY HAVE  CONTINUED.

>> Gene: GOOD POINT.

DAVID, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, I MEAN IT USED TO BE  SATURDAY BEFORE ELECTION DAY YOU COULD CHANGE YOUR  REGISTRATION OR REGISTER TO VOTE.

NOW IT IS RIGHT UP TO  ELECTION DAY.

YOU CAN WALK INTO THE PLACE,  SIGN UP, BRING YOUR PAPERWORK, DO WHATEVER YOU NEED TO DO AND  VOTE THAT DAY AND GET REGISTERED THAT DAY AND VOTE.

THAT IS A HUGE CHANGE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

>> Dave: A HUGE CHANGE BUT ALSO I THINK CREDIT WHERE  CREDIT IS DUE.

WE HAVE POLITICIANS FROM BOTH  SIDES OF THE AISLE, WE HAVE HAD POLITICAL WILL IN THIS  STATE THAT HAS SAID VOTING IS IMPORTANT.

WE SHOULD MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE.

WE HAVE HAD SPANISH LANGUAGE  BALLOTS.

DO NOT UNDER ESTIMATE THE  ABILITY OF PEOPLE LIKE DANIEL-IVEY SOTO HAS WRITTEN  LEGISLATION.

THEY TEND TO ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE AIR THAT  SAYS, VOTING IS IMPORTANT, WE NEED TO GET EVERYBODY  REGISTERED.

WE WANT THEM TO VOTE AND I  THINK YOU HAVE TO CREDIT THE COUNTY CLERKS ALL OVER THE  STATE HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUSLY HELPFUL IN MAKING SURE THAT  EVERYBODY KNOWS, COME TO MY OFFICE AND I'LL REGISTER YOU  TO VOTE.

THERE HAVE BEEN GROUPS THAT  HAVE RUN AROUND AND REGISTERED VOTERS.

I HAVE TWO TEACHES AT HIGH SCHOOL WHO MAKE IT THEIR  MISSION TO MAKE SURE THEIR KIDS ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE  WHEN THEY TURN 18 OR 17.

SO, I MEAN IT IS A LOT OF  INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE SELECTIVELY SAID WE LIKE  VOTING, WE THINK VOTING IS IMPORTANT, DO NOT  UNDERESTIMATE THE PSYCHOLOGY OF VOTING IS A GOOD THING.

AND I THINK HONESTLY I AM GOING TO TELL YOU I THINK THE  PARTIES IN THE DIFFERENT STATES THAT ARE TRYING TO  LIMIT VOTING, IT IS GOING TO BACKFIRE, BECAUSE IN SOME WAYS  THEY ARE CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE WHEN YOU  TELL PEOPLE THEY CAN'T DO SOMETHING, THEN THEY  IMMEDIATELY WANT TO DO IT AND I THINK THAT RESTRICTIVE  VOTING IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.

>> Gene: GOOD POINT.

I LOVE THAT.

KRISTELLE, WE GOT SOME INSIGHT  THIS WEEK INTO EARLY VOTING TURNOUT, REGISTERED DEMOCRATIC  VOTERS OUTPACING REPUBLICAN VOTERS BY A 2-1 MARGIN.

THE GAP IN DEMOCRATS VOTING EARLY IS OUT-PACING THE  REGISTRATION GAP BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES.

WHAT DO YOU THINK EXPLAINS THAT DIFFERENCE?

WHAT IS IT ABOUT DEMOCRATS THAT HAVE EMBRACED EARLY  VOTING BUT REPUBLICANS STILL SEEM TO NOT QUITE GET THERE  WITH THIS.

>> Kristelle: I DON'T KNOW IF  IT IS A MATTER OF WHETHER OR NOT DEMOCRATS EMBRACE EARLY  VOTING.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE  DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE AREA THAT CD-1 IS.

THE LAST TIME WE HAD SOMEBODY IN THE REPUBLICAN SEAT WAS  MAYBE HEATHER WILSON IN LIKE THE EARLY 2000'S.

YEAH, SO, LIKE I DON'T DISAGREE THAT DEMOCRATS ARE  OBVIOUSLY UNDERSTANDING VOTING, VOTING RIGHTS, THEIR  INTERPRETATION OF DEMOCRACY IS SO DIFFERENT, OBVIOUSLY, FROM  REPUBLICANS.

THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THE  TWO-PARTY SYSTEM BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU HAVE TO  THINK ABOUT WHAT IS THE POPULATION OF CD1?

AND IT ALWAYS SKEWS BLUE.

LIKE EVEN LOOK TO THE MAYORAL  RACES THAT ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE PARTISAN, THEY ALWAYS SKEW  BLUE.

SO,   IT IS FUNNY TOO TO GO BACK TO THE TOPIC THAT YOU WERE  TALKING ABOUT, VOTER RIGHTS AND VOTER REGISTRATION, MY  FIRST JOB WAS FOR THE NEW VOTERS PROJECT, A NONPROFIT,  THAT WOULD REGISTER YOUNG PEOPLE TO VOTE AND THIS  CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAD BACK IN 2005 -- YES I AM THAT  OLD -- THAT IN 2005, WHEN WE WERE REGISTERING PEOPLE TO  VOTE AT 18 TO 21, WE WOULD GO TO PLACES THAT THEY WOULD BE  LIKE PRIDE OR PARTIES OR CENTRAL WHERE PEOPLE WOULD ALL  HANGOUT, BUT THE SAME ISSUES THAT WE ARE HAVING NOW ARE THE  SAME ISSUES WE HAD BACK THEN.

IT IS ACCESS TO VOTING AND  MAKING SURE WE REGISTER PEOPLE ON TIME, MAKING SURE THEY  DON'T NEED AN ID TO ACCESS A BALLOT OF SOME SORT.

UNDERSTANDING WHAT A BALLOT LOOKS LIKE AND HOW A PROPERLY  MARKED CIRCLE NEEDS TO BE COUNTED AS A VOTE.

ALL OF THE ISSUES THAT WE ARE RUNNING INTO NOW IT SEEMS LIKE  MONUMENTAL CHANGE IN NEW MEXICO, BUT THEY ARE CHANGES  THAT HAVE BEEN SLOWLY BUT SURELY HAPPENING OVER THE LAST  DECADE OR TWO.

>> Gene: GOOD POINT.

SENATOR,  TURNOUT STILL PRETTY LOW OVERALL, 4% ON MONDAY OF THIS  WEEK, WHICH IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR SPECIAL, BUT HAS ALL THE  RHETORIC ABOUT VOTING INTEGRITY COME HOME TO ROOST  FOR YOU?

WHAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW IN  THIS MOMENT?

>> Dede: NO.

I THINK THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOW TURNOUT IN THIS  ELECTION.

BUT, THE WHOLE STORY ISN'T IN.

THERE ARE 15,000 PEOPLE WHO  HAVE REQUESTED ABSENTEE BALLOTS AND WHO HAVE NOT YET  VOTED.

SO, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A BIG  TREND NOW.

WE HAVE SEEN THIS YEAR, THAT  IS HUGE, HUGE UPTICK IN THE USE OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

YES, EARLIER VOTING IS IMPORTANT BUT WHAT MARKED THIS  YEAR AND WHAT MOSTLY IRKED THE PEOPLE THAT LOST IN THESE  STATES WHERE THEY ARE TRYING TO RESTRICT ABSENTEE BALLOTS  IS THE USE OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

IT USED TO BE A REPUBLICAN THING.

REPUBLICANS WERE ALWAYS BETTER AT ABSENTEES AND THEY SKEWED  TOWARD THE OLDER VOTERS, THE MILITARY VOTERS, BUT NOW MANY  MORE PEOPLE ARE USING THEM BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND  THAT IS A TREND THAT IS GOING TO CONTINUE.

AND, YOU KNOW, I WORK PART-TIME FOR COMMON CAUSE NEW  MEXICO.

AND WE DID A LOT OF WORK  DURING THE GENERAL TEACHING PEOPLE HOW TO VOTE ABSENTEE.

BECAUSE, IT IS DIFFERENT THAN VOTING IN PERSON.

AND YOU CAN'T SCREW UP.

AND WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU  SCREW UP?

THOSE ARE ALL QUESTIONS THAT  PEOPLE HAD.

I THINK THAT WE ARE GOING TO  CONTINUE TO SEE PEOPLE WANT TO VOTE BOTH DEMOCRATS AND  REPUBLICANS.

IT IS THE FOUNDATION OF  DEMOCRACY AND, YES, I THINK PEOPLE ARE REBELLING WHEN  BARRIERS ARE PUT UP THERE UNNECESSARILY.

IT IS SO OBVIOUS TO PEOPLE.

>> Kristelle: I DO WANT TO ASK  THE QUESTION TO ALL OF US.

HOW MUCH OF VOTING TURNOUT IS  ACTUALLY BECAUSE IT IS NOT A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR OR  NOT GUBERNATORIAL.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE  STATISTICS ARE, BUT THERE HAS GOT TO BE SOMETHING THAT SAYS,  SPECIAL ELECTIONS SHOULD HISTORICALLY HAVE LOW TURNOUT  BECAUSE PEOPLE FORGET.

>> Dede: YOU ARE REALLY LUCKY  IF YOU GET A 20% TURNOUT IN A SPECIAL ELECTION AND ALSO IN A  MAYORAL ELECTION.

IT IS USUALLY LOW.

>> Gene: DAVID, BERNALILLO COUNTY CLERK, LINDA STOVER,  TOLD ME IN A FACEBOOK LIVE DISCUSSION ON WEDNESDAY THAT  NEW MEXICO HAS SOME OF THE MOST SECURE ELECTION SYSTEMS  IN THE COUNTRY.

SHE MENTIONED PAPER BALLOTS.

DO YOU THINK THAT IS THE GENERAL CONSENSUS AMONG VOTERS  RIGHT NOW?

>> Dave: THE VOTERS ARE  CONFIDENT IN NEW MEXICO'S ABILITY TO HANDLE GOOD  ELECTIONS AND, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE DO -- PEOPLE AREN'T  STUPID.

THIS IDEA THAT THE ELECTION  WAS STOLEN GOING BACK SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS, IF YOU SAW WHAT  WAS HAPPENING IN ARIZONA, EVEN THE PEOPLE THAT WERE SORT OF  SUPPORTING IT, THEY ARE SAYING, OKAY, THIS IS OVER.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO OVERPLAY YOUR HAND.

17,000 DIFFERENT ENTITIES TOUCH VOTING IN THIS COUNTRY.

I MEAN, THE IDEA THAT THERE COULD BE A CONSPIRACY AND THAT  YOU CAN SOMEHOW THROW AN ELECTION, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE,  BUT LINDA STOVE AND MAGGIE TOULOUSE OLIVER, THE SECRETARY  OF STATE, NEW MEXICO HAS A GOOD REPUTATION FOR VOTING  BECAUSE THEY HAVE WORKED AT IT.

WHEN THEY WEREN'T GOING TO STICK WITH THE MACHINES AND  THEY SAID, WE FELT THERE WAS SOME QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER  MACHINES WERE SAFE, THEY  SIMPLY PITCHED IT AND SAID THE INTEGRITY OF THESE ELECTIONS  ARE GOOD.

THEY WORKED AT IT.

AND ALSO I THINK THE STATE LEGISLATURE COULD BE A LITTLE  BIT MORE GENEROUS WITH GIVING THESE COUNTY CLERKS MORE MONEY  TO, RUN ELECTIONS BUT I THINK THE STATE PARTIES COULD BE  BETTER ABOUT SAYING, I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT OR  YOU ARE A REPUBLICAN OR SOMETHING IN BETWEEN, THEY  NEED TO ENCOURAGE VOTING ALSO.

WE NEED THE ENTIRE CORE  SAYING, GET OUT AND VOTE.

YOU KNOW IT IS SORT OF DUES  YOU PAY FOR LIVING IN A DEMOCRACY, EVERYBODY NEEDS TO  PUSH VOTING WITHOUT A DOUBT.

>> Gene: THANK YOU FOR THAT,  DAVE.

THAT IS GOING TO DO IT FOR  NOW.

LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK  ABOUT EARLY VOTING AND ALL OPINIONS YOU JUST HEARD ABOUT  NEW MEXICO'S ELECTION SYSTEM.

DROP US A LINE ON FACEBOOK,  TWITTER OR INSTAGRAM BY SEARCHING FOR AT NEW MEXICO  IN FOCUS.

THIS SPRING THE PUEBLOS OF  JEMEZ AND LAGUNA SUE THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION  AGENCY AND THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS OVER A 2020 RULE  THAT WEAKENS OR IN SOME CASES JUST GETS RID OF PROTECTIONS  FOR EPHEMERAL OR INTERMITTENT STREAMS UNDER THE FEDERAL  CLEAN WATER ACT.

HERE IN NEW MEXICO THAT IS A  BIG DEAL.

CLOSE TO 90% OF OUR WATERWAYS  FALL UNDER THOSE TWO DESIGNATIONS.

CORRESPONDENT  LAURA PASKUS TALKS WITH CLIFF VILLA AT THE UNM LAW CLINIC  WHICH FILED THE SUIT AND CHRIS TOYA, WITH THE PUEBLO OF  JEMEZ.

>>   Laura: THERE HAS BEEN BACK AND FORTH FOR YEARS NOW  WHETHER OR NOT TO PROTECT SMALL WATERWAYS UNDER THE  CLEAN WATER ACT AND LAST SUMMER THE TRUMP ERA RULE TOOK  EFFECT.

THAT ESSENTIALLY THE U.S.  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND U.S. ARMY CORE OF  ENGINEERS WILL NO LONGER PROTECT CERTAIN TYPES OF  WATERWAYS UNDER THE CLEAN WATER ACT.

NOW THE PUEBLOS OF LAGUNA AND JEMEZ HAVE FILED A LAWSUIT  AGAINST THE TWO AGENCIES REGARDING THIS RULE.

LET'S START WITH YOU CHRIS TOYA.

YOU ARE FROM JEMEZ PUEBLO.

CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT  ABOUT WHY THESE EPHEMERAL AND INTERMITTENT WATER WAYS ARE SO  IMPORTANT TO NEW MEXICANS?

>> Toya: BECAUSE WE LIVE IN  HIGH DESERT SOUTHWEST.

87% OF OUR   STREAMS ARE EPHEMERAL MEANING THAT DURING  THE MONSOON EVENTS OR SNOW MELT, THESE ARROYOS,  DRAINAGES, GET FILLED WITH WATER AND THEY ARE TRIBUTARIES  TO THE MAIN JEMEZ RIVER.

AND WE USE THE WATER FOR  IRRIGATION OF OUR CROPS AND THEN IT IS A MEANS OF FOOD  SUPPLY AS WELL.

WE GO FISHING AND FISH THAT WE  CATCH IN THE JEMEZ RIVER IS WHAT WE EAT.

ONE OTHER IMPORTANT FACTOR IS THAT THE WATER IN THE JEMEZ  RIVER IS USED IN CEREMONIES.

AND THIS IS A THREAT TO OUR  WAY OF LIFE.

>> Laura: CLIFF VILLA, YOU  WORKED ON THIS LAWSUIT THROUGH THE UNM LAW CLINIC.

CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT TYPES OF POLLUTION,  WHAT TYPES OF THREATS THESE SORTS OF WATERWAYS ARE UNDER,  AND, IF SUCCESSFUL, WHAT THIS LAWSUIT WOULD DO?

>> Villa: THANKS LAURA.

SO, THROUGH THE UNM SCHOOL OF LAW  CLINIC, WE HAVE WORKED WITH A NUMBER OF TRIBES AND TRIBAL  MEMBERS FOR A LONG TIME.

AND WE LISTENED TO THEIR  CONCERNS AND WE THINK ABOUT HOW WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO USE  THE LAW TO ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONCERNS WE HAVE HEARD RECENTLY WAS  CONCERNS ABOUT CONTINUING TO PROTECT TRIBAL WATERS UNDER  THE CLEAN WATER ACT.

THE CLEAN WATER ACT IS  INCREDIBLY BROAD.

IT BASICALLY APPLIES TO ALL  POLLUTANTS, YOU KNOW, TOXIC POLLUTANTS, HAZARDOUS WASTE,  EVEN IN SOME CASES THINGS LIKE DIRT OR COW MANURE.

SO THE THREAT TO NEW MEXICO'S WATERS CAN COME FROM MANY  DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS BUT ONE OF THEM MIGHT BE SOMETHING  INDUSTRIAL, ACTUALLY, LIKE MINING, INCLUDING URANIUM  MINING IN THE NAVAJO NATION AND GRANTS MINING DISTRICT.

THERE IS PUMICE MINING IN THE JEMEZ WATERSHED.

THERE IS SEWAGE, RAW SEWAGE IS A BIG PROBLEM ACROSS THE  COUNTRY FOR A LONG TIME.

SO, EVEN THINGS LIKE SEDIMENTS  THAT MIGHT CLOG UP A CHANNEL AND PREVENT WATERS FROM  REACHING COMMUNITIES COULD BE AN ISSUE AND SOMETHING THAT IS  REGULATED UNDER THE CLEAN WATER ACT WHEN THE CLEAN WATER  ACT IS APPLIED.

BUT THE PROBLEM HERE IS THE  TRUMP RULE SEVERELY DIMINISHED THE SCOPE OF PROTECTION UNDER  THE CLEAN WATER ACT.

>> Laura: SO, FEDERAL  ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE GONE BACK  AND FORTH ON THESE PROTECTIONS.

EVEN STATES HAVE GONE BACK AND FORTH.

UNDER THE MARTINEZ ADMINISTRATION, STATE OF NEW  MEXICO OPPOSED THESE PROTECTIONS.

CLIFF, LET'S START WITH YOU.

CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT  ABOUT WHY PROTECTIONS UNDER THE CLEAN WATER ACT WOULD BE  CONTROVERSIAL.

>> Villa: PART OF THE  CONTROVERSY IS RESISTANCE TO FEDERAL REGULATION AT ALL.

THE CLEAN WATER ACT WAS DESIGNED TO ESTABLISH NATIONAL  STANDARDS THAT STATES WOULD IMPLEMENT.

THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A STATE COMPONENT THERE.

I DON'T  THINK THAT IS FULLY UNDERSTOOD BUT THERE IS ALSO A LOT OF  MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT WHAT THE CLEAN WATER ACT DOES.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE EXAMPLES OF MISUNDERSTANDING WAS THERE WAS  A RUMOR THAT OBAMA WAS ATTEMPTING TO PROMULGATE A  RULE THAT WOULD REGULATE PUDDLES UNDER THE CLEAN WATER  ACT.

SO THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION  ACTUALLY WENT OUT OF ITS WAY TO WRITE A RULE THAT SAID THIS  RULE DOES NOT APPLY TO PUDDLES.

AND THE FIRST THING THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CLAIMED  AFTER TRUMP CAME IN IN 2017 WAS THAT OBAMA'S RULE HAS BEEN  USED AND IN PARTICULAR IT IS REGULATING PUDDLES.

WHEN OBAMA WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO SAY, NO, THE RULE DOESN'T  REGULATE PUDDLES.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF  MISUNDERSTANDING AND MISSTATEMENT ABOUT THE CLEAN  WATER ACT SCOPE.

AND WHAT IT IS ABOUT IS PROTECTING YOUR  WATER AND MINE, WATERS IN THE JEMEZ RIVER, WATERS IN THE RIO  GRANDE AND WE GET SO LITTLE WATER IN NEW MEXICO WE DON'T  HAVE ANY TO SPARE.

SO MAYBE THERE IS SOME GENUINE  CONTROVERSY AROUND THE EDGES OF WETLANDS IN THE EASTERN  UNITED STATES BUT ALL THE WATER IN NEW MEXICO IS NEEDED  FOR PURPOSES HERE IN NEW MEXICO, PARTICULARLY FOR THE  TRIBAL COMMUNITIES.

>> Laura: CHRIS TOYA CLEAN  WATER JUST DOESN'T SEEM CONTROVERSIAL TO ME.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN OVER THE YEARS IN  TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, WANTING TO PROTECTS THESE WATERS AND, IN  PARTICULAR, TRIBAL WATERS?

>> Toya: YOU KNOW THROUGHOUT  THE YEARS, I HAVE NOTICED THAT WE ARE GETTING MORE AND MORE  PEOPLE, RECREATIONISTS IN THE JEMEZ MOUNTAINS.

YOU KNOW THE FORESTS HAVE BEEN DECLARED IN AN AREA UP IN THE  JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, A NATIONAL RECREATION AREA.

AND WE ARE GETTING PEOPLE BY THE THOUSANDS.

I THINK  ANNUALLY, THIS IS OLD DATA, BUT THEY WERE SAYING THAT WE  GET OVER 1.6 MILLION VISITORS IN THE JEMEZ MOUNTAINS AND THE  LARGEST BOTTLENECK IS THE PUEBLO ITSELF.

WE ARE GETTING SO MUCH VEHICLE TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT  IS DANGEROUS FOR THE PEOPLE.

BUT WHAT PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE  IS THAT THEY ARE TREKKING ON THE ROADWAYS, ON AREAS THAT  DON'T HAVE ANY PATHS.

YOU GOT VEHICLE TRAFFIC.

YOU  GOT FOOT TRAFFIC AND YOU ALSO GOT CATTLE.

AND SO WHAT  HAPPIES IS THAT THESE AREAS START GETTING ERODED AND WE  HAVE NOTICED THIS PAST FEW YEARS, WE ARE JUST GETTING SO  MUCH SEDIMENT IN OUR IRRIGATION SYSTEMS.

IT IS ONE ISSUE THAT WE ARE FACING.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE ARE FARMERS AND WE USE THIS WATER FROM THE  JEMEZ RIVER TO IRRIGATE OUR FIELDS BUT WE ARE GETTING  SEDIMENT LOADS THAT ARE UNBELIEVABLE.

THE OTHER ISSUE IS THAT WE NEED THIS CLEAN WATER, AS I  STATED EARLIER.

WATER IS LIFE AND WATER IS  CRUCIAL IN TRIBAL LIFE ESPECIALLY IN CEREMONIES.

WE USE THE WATER FROM THE JEMEZ RIVER, WATER FROM THE  SPRINGS TO CONDUCT CEREMONIES, NOT ONLY FOR OURSELVES BUT FOR  THE WHOLE WORLD, IN A SENSE, BECAUSE WE ARE PROTECTING AND  PRAYING FOR THE BALANCE OF MOTHER EARTH.

AND SO WHEN THAT HAPPENS, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY DO TRIBAL  MEMBERS BENEFIT BUT THE WHOLE WORLD BENEFITS.

>> Laura: LOTS OF DIFFERENT GROUPS HAVE WEIGHED IN ON THIS  RULE ON ALL SIDES OF THE ISSUE.

CHRIS, CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHY THIS LAWSUIT IS  SO IMPORTANT FOR THE PUEBLOS IN TERMS OF THINGS LIKE  JURISDICTION AND SOVEREIGNTY?

>> Toya: CURRENTLY THE JEMEZ  PUEBLO RESERVATION IS APPROXIMATELY 90,000 ACRES.

WE ONLY CLAIM AS FAR AS THE BOUNDARIES GO, A FRACTION OF  WHAT OUR ANCESTORS USED AT ONE TIME.

SOME OF THE ANCESTRAL HOMELANDS ARE UNDER THE  MANAGEMENT OF THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF  INTERIOR, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, BUREAU OF LAND  MANAGEMENT AND PRIVATE PROPERTY.

SO, THE WATERSHED, JEMEZ WATERSHED, IS ABOVE THE VALLEY  OF JEMEZ PUEBLO AND SO THE MAIN WATERSHED IS IN THE  VALLES CALDERA NATIONAL PRESERVE AND THE SAN PEDRO  WILDERNESS IN THE NACIEMENTO MOUNTAINS AND SO, YOU HAVE  DIFFERENT LAND MANAGEMENT HAPPENING FROM DIFFERENT  FEDERAL AGENCIES.

AND AS I STATED EARLIER, WE HAVE GOT MANY, MANY THOUSANDS  OF RECREATIONISTS ENJOYING THE MOUNTAINS AND YOU HAVE GOT  YOUR RANCHERS WITH CATTLE AND, YOU KNOW, WE NEED THESE WATERS  PROTECTED NOT ONLY FOR OURSELVES BUT FOR WILDLIFE,  FOR ALL HUMANITY.

IF WE DON'T PROTECT OUR WATER,  WE ARE PUTTING OURSELVES IN SITUATION WHERE, YOU KNOW, IF  OUR WATERS ARE REALLY POLLUTED, THEN, WE'LL BE  LOOKING BACK AND SAYING WHY DID WE DO THAT?

WHY DIDN'T WE PUT THE EFFORT INTO PROTECTING OUR WATERS.

IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE THAT WE ARE FACING TODAY.

TRIBAL PEOPLE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND ALL PEOPLE,  WE SEEM TO KIND OF HAVE MISSED THE POINT IN BEING HUMAN AND  BEING CONNECTED TO MOTHER EARTH.

I THINK OUR PRIORITIES ARE BUSINESS AND MAKING MONEY BUT,  YOU KNOW, I HOPE THAT EVENTUALLY WE COME TO OUR  SENSES AND START PROTECTING WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL  LIFE.

>> Laura: CLIFF, IN OUR FINAL  MINUTE HERE, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WITH THIS LAWSUIT?

>> Villa: WELL, THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF SIMILAR  LAWSUITS FILED ACROSS THE COUNTRY, A LAWSUIT BY THE  NAVAJO NATION, A LAWSUIT INVOLVING TRIBES IN ARIZONA TO  WASHINGTON.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN, IS THAT THE NEW BIDEN  DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS SOUGHT TO SEEK A STAY OF THAT  LITIGATION AND MAYBE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD  CONSIDER AS WELL, BUT WE ARE ALSO VERY CONCERNED ABOUT  PROTECTION OF WATER IN NEW MEXICO RIGHT NOW.

AND WE REALLY NEED TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE BEGIN DOING THAT.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ON DAY ONE INAUGURATION SIGNALED  AN INTEREST IN RECONSIDERING AND POSSIBLY REPEALING THE  TRUMP RULE AND WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT, BUT THAT PROCESS  TAKES TIME.

IT COULD TAKE A MATTER OF  YEARS TO GO THROUGH THE FORMAL RULE MAKING PROCESS.

ONE THING THAT OUR LITIGATION IS ASKING FOR IS JUST VACATE  THE RULE, JUST TAKE US BACK TO WHERE WE WERE BEFORE.

AT THAT POINT THE PUEBLO OF JEMEZ, PUEBLO OF LAGUNA CAN  MAKE THE ARGUMENT EXACTLY AS CHRIS IS SAYING, WHY IT IS  IMPORTANT TO PROTECT OUR WATERS RIGHT NOW.

WE NEED A NEW RULE AND EVERYBODY AGREES WE NEED A NEW  RULE GOING FORWARD BUT WHILE THAT RULE-MAKING PROCESS IS  CONTINUING, WE WOULD LIKE TO STOP THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS  RULE THAT JUST ELIMINATES THE PROTECTION FOR SO MUCH OF NEW  MEXICO'S WATER.

CLIFF VILLA AND CHRIS TOYA,  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS  TODAY.

>> Toya: THANK YOU FOR THE  OPPORTUNITY.

>> Villa: TRAINING, YOU LAURA.

>> Gene: WATCHING SOCIAL MEDIA AND PRESS, IT HAS BEEN  FASCINATING TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE READY, WILLING AND  ABLE TO KEEP DONNING A MASK IN PUBLIC.

PERHAPS A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF FOLKS NOW HABITUATED TO  WEARING ONE, BUT A GOOD NUMBER MENTIONED NOT HAVING A COLD OR  FLU IN SOME TIME.

THAT IS HARD TO ARGUE.

HOW LONG IT LASTS, AS PANEL MUSED EARLIER, IS ANYONE'S  GUESS.

FOR ME THE MASK IS STILL IN  THE POCKET IF MY PLAN INCLUDES BEING INDOORS ESPECIALLY IF  THERE ARE SENIORS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY.

I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IF FOLKS MIGHT BE MORE COMFORTS IF I  ALSO WEAR A MASK.

MOST SAY NO,   BUT I WANT THE OPTION OUT OF COURTESY.

HAVE YOU SETTLED ON A PERSONAL MASK PROTOCOL?

IF YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO STAY THE COURSE OR SAID GOOD-BYE TO ANY  AND ALL MASK WEARING, LET US KNOW OVER AT THE FOCUS ON NEW  MEXICO FACEBOOK PAGE.

LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

THANKS  AGAIN FOR JOINING US AND STAYING INFORMED AND ENGAGED.

SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK IN FOCUS.